1
as in grim
harsh and threatening in manner or appearance
stark and forbidding mountains that the settlers knew that they would have to cross
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sheer
having no exceptions or restrictions
the school's stark prohibition against obscene slogans on clothing
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in devoid
lacking contents that could or should be present
house buyers trying to imagine what those stark rooms would look like when filled with furniture
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in desolate
producing inferior or only a small amount of vegetation
a once-lush landscape rendered depressingly stark by strip-mining and deforestation
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in spartan
providing only the essentials and nothing fancy or luxurious
monks who have committed themselves to living in stark cells and working and praying in silence
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of stark
This complaint is riddled with falsehoods and stands in stark contrast to the record that has already been established in court.
—
Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 24 Sep. 2025
That's a stark contrast from typical wait times for a new patient appointment at other types of clinics, which can average more than a month.
—Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 24 Sep. 2025
All-black ensembles are found in VIKTORANISIMOV’s SS26 collection, with a stark, almost uniform effect throughout.
—Finbarr Toesland, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2025
Regional divides are equally stark.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stark
Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 24 Sep. 2025
That's a stark contrast from typical wait times for a new patient appointment at other types of clinics, which can average more than a month.
—Jessie Opoien, jsonline.com, 24 Sep. 2025
All-black ensembles are found in VIKTORANISIMOV’s SS26 collection, with a stark, almost uniform effect throughout.
—Finbarr Toesland, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2025
Regional divides are equally stark.
—Martha McHardy, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for stark
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stark
Adjective
-
Molina, a window dresser imprisoned for public indecency, escapes the grim reality of their confinement by retelling the plot of a glamorous Hollywood musical featuring his favorite silver screen diva, Ingrid Luna (Jennifer Lopez).—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
24 Sep. 2025
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This one revealed fresh cause for concern, and a much more grim prognosis.—
Josh Crutchmer,
Rolling Stone,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The sheer size of the system churning its way through the South China Sea was captured from space by Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui aboard the International Space Station.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
23 Sep. 2025
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Festival highlights include the giant mum arch and other flowery displays–perfect for photos–as well as the sheer variety of shopping from more than 300 vendors.—
Melinda Salchert,
Southern Living,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Banking has become functionally correct but emotionally devoid, with the industry swimming in a sea of sameness.—
Michael Abbott,
Forbes,
19 Mar. 2025
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That devoid ingredient hindered things exponentially.—
Roderick Boone,
Charlotte Observer,
15 Feb. 2024
Adjective
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Unlike other parts of the Cascades, where campgrounds are plentiful and the Pacific Crest Trail attracts hundreds of hikers, this area is desolate.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
20 Sep. 2025
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Despite the Winchesters' massive home, thanks to Andrew's family's wealth, Millie is banished to live in a desolate attic bedroom.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
16 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Roku then picked up the rights for a spartan $10 million—about a third of what Peacock shelled out in each year of its contract.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
24 Sep. 2025
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The Long Walk uses the rawness of its spartan premise to venture deep into uncomfortable territory, culminating in an ending that blurs the lines between perseverance and defeat, hope and nihilism.—
James Grebey,
Time,
12 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Panday plays a convincingly gruff tortured artist alongside Padda’s struggling ingenue, and most of the screen time is devoted to their pairing instead of introducing tertiary excess.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
13 Sep. 2025
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The barbs were frequently aimed at the gruff owner of Mel’s Diner played by the late Vic Tayback.—
Greg Evans,
Deadline,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Don’t pull over in the roundabout Roundabouts with a single lane of traffic in each direction are fairly simple – yield to traffic in the roundabout, wait for a gap in traffic and go through, Bryson said.—
Eric D. Lawrence,
USA Today,
28 Sep. 2025
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This can be as simple as bodyweight movements, resistance bands or dumbbells, focusing on compound/functional movements like squats, pushes and pulls.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Caleb, beside her, had an empty backpack from Skywalker Ranch slung over his shoulder.—
Dana Goodyear,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
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An empty lectern waited at its center.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
22 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Stark.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stark. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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